Sandals with drainage system

ABSTRACT

A sandal with a drainage system is provided. The sandal includes a footbed having an upper support surface, a bottom sole, and a central portion therebetween. A plurality of drainage apertures are provided on the upper support surface of the footbed. A vertical drainage channel extends from each drainage aperture into the central portion of the footbed. A plurality of horizontal drainage channels extend within the central portion of the footbed from the vertical drainage channels to exit apertures about a peripheral edge of the sandal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to articles of footwear, such as sandals,which include a drainage system.

2. Related Art

Sandals, such as “flip-flops,” “slides,” “thongs,” and other similartypes of footwear, are often worn in environments where peopleparticipate in recreational water activities. Sandals are easy to put onand take off, and are often put onto wet feet when a person exits awater environment. As such, the upper surface of the sandal can becomewet and slippery. Accordingly, it is desirable to drain water away fromthe surface of the sandal. It is also desirable to keep the water awayfrom the underside of the sole of the sandal to minimize water under thesandal, thereby minimizing the chance of the bottom of the sandalslipping on wet ground.

Most prior sandal designs do not provide for any sort of drainage, andparticularly, do not provide for any drainage from an upper surface ofthe sandal, through the footbed, and to the peripheral edge of thesandal. Accordingly, what is desired, and has not heretofore beenprovided, is a sandal with a drainage system to drain water from theupper surface of the sandal, through the footbed and out a drainagechannel to exit apertures about the peripheral edge of the sandal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sandal with a drainage system. Thesandal includes a footbed having an upper support surface, a bottomsole, and a central portion therebetween. A retaining strap isinterconnected with the footbed for retaining the sandal on a foot. Aplurality of drainage apertures are provided on the upper supportsurface of the footbed. A vertical drainage channel extends from eachdrainage aperture into the central portion of the footbed. A pluralityof horizontal drainage channels extend within the central portion of thefootbed from the vertical drainage channels to exit apertures about aperipheral edge of the sandal.

In one embodiment, the sandal of the present invention includes twoforward drainage apertures on the upper support surface of the footbedwith forward vertical drainage channels extending from each apertureinto the central portion of a footbed. A forward horizontal drainagechannel extends from a medial side to a lateral side of the peripheraledge of the sandal and interconnects with the forward vertical drainagechannels. The sandal also includes two midsole drainage apertures in theupper support surface from which midsole vertical drainage channelsextend into the central footbed. A midsole horizontal drainage channelextends from a medial side to a lateral side of the peripheral edge ofthe sandal and interconnects with the midsole vertical drainagechannels. The sandal further includes two heel drainage apertures in theupper support surface from which extend heel vertical drainage channelsthat interconnect with a horizontal heel drainage channel, which extendsfrom a medial side to a lateral side of the peripheral edge of thesandal. The sandal additionally includes a rear drainage aperture in theupper support surface from which extends a rear vertical drainagechannel that connects with a horizontal drainage channel, which extendsrearward to a back portion of the peripheral edge of the sandal.

In another embodiment, the sandal of the present invention includes twoforward drainage apertures on the upper support surface of the footbedwith forward vertical drainage channels extending from each apertureinto the central portion of a footbed. Forward horizontal drainagechannels interconnect with each vertical drainage channel, and extendfrom each vertical drainage channel to the peripheral edge of thesandal. The sandal also includes two midsole drainage apertures in theupper support surface from which midsole vertical drainage channelsextend into the central footbed. Midsole horizontal drainage channelsinterconnect with each midsole vertical drainage channel, and extendfrom each midsole vertical drainage channel to the peripheral edge ofthe sandal. The sandal further includes two heel drainage apertures inthe upper support surface from which extend heel vertical drainagechannels that interconnect with horizontal heel drainage channels, whichextend from the heel vertical drainage channels to the peripheral edgeof the sandal. The sandal additionally includes a rear drainage aperturein the upper support surface from which extends a rear vertical drainagechannel that connects with a horizontal drainage channel, which extendsrearward to a back portion of the peripheral edge of the sandal. In thisembodiment, the number and location of drainage apertures can be varied,but each drainage aperture is associated with a dedicated drainagechannel, including a vertical and a horizontal drainage channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other important objects and features of the invention will be apparentfrom the following Detailed Description of the Invention taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a sandal with a drainage system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sandal shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sandal shown in FIG. 2, takenalong the line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the sandal shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sandal shown in FIG. 1,taken along the line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of a sandal with the drainagesystem of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the sandal shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sandal with a drainage system. Thesandal includes a footbed having an upper support surface, a bottomsole, and a central portion therebetween. A retaining strap isinterconnected with the footbed for retaining the sandal on a foot. Aplurality of drainage apertures are provided on the upper supportsurface of the footbed. A vertical drainage channel extends from eachdrainage aperture into the central portion of the footbed. By the term“vertical” it is meant a direction generally perpendicular to thefootbed. A plurality of horizontal drainage channels extend within thecentral portion of the footbed from the vertical drainage channels toexit apertures about a peripheral edge of the sandal. By the term“horizontal” it is meant a direction generally parallel to the bottomsole of the sandal. Of course, the horizontal channels could be pitchedto aid drainage, if desired.

The sandal of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-7. FIG. 1 is atop view of the sandal, generally indicated at 10. The sandal 10includes a foot strap 12 that can be configured and attached inaccordance with what is known in the art. The foot strap 12 may includea strap retainer 14 which fits between the toes of a foot. However, sucha strap retainer 14 is not required. Further, the foot strap 12 andretainer 14 could be substituted with an upper of any desired design, tocreate a flip-flop, thong, slide, or other desired style. The sandal 10includes a footbed having an upper surface 20 and a peripheral edge 26.The size and shape of the footbed can be varied in accordance with whatis known in the art. Additionally, the materials from which the footbedis constructed can be varied in accordance with what is known in theart.

The footbed of the present invention includes a three layerconstruction: an upper surface 20, a bottom sole (FIG. 2, referencenumeral 22) and a central footbed portion (FIG. 2, reference numeral24). The upper surface 20 could be a finished surface of the centralfootbed portion. However, the present invention could be implementedwherein the footbed has any desired number of layers. The upper surface20 could include a ridge 21 that follows the peripheral edge 26 and isspaced inwardly therefrom. A depression 23 is surrounded by the ridge21. The depression 23 receives a foot and aids drainage.

The upper surface of the footbed has a plurality of drainage aperturesincluding forward drainage apertures 30A, midsole drainage apertures30B, heel drainage apertures 30C, and rear drainage aperture 30D. Thenumber of drainage apertures, as well as the location of the drainageapertures, can be varied as desired.

As can be seen in phantom in FIG. 1, a plurality of horizontal drainagechannels, which are interconnected with vertical drainage channelsextending from the drainage apertures, extend to the side wall 26 of thefootbed of the sandal 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the sandal 10 includes aforward horizontal drainage channel 34A, a midsole horizontal drainagechannel 34B, a heel horizontal drainage channel 34C, and a rearhorizontal drainage channel 34D. The forward, midsole, and rear drainagechannels extend from medial to lateral sides of the peripheral edge 20of the footbed of sandal 10. The rear horizontal drainage channel 34Dextends to a back portion of the peripheral edge 20 of the footbed ofsandal 10. It should be noted that the orientation of the drainagechannels need not be limited to a horizontal direction.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sandal 10 shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen,the sandal 10 includes a foot strap 12 and a strap retainer 14. Again,the foot strap 12 can be varied in accordance with what is known in theart. For example, it could be a strap, a thong, or other sandal upperconfiguration. The footbed includes an upper surface 20, a bottom sole22, and a central footbed portion 24. Again, this construction can bevaried. A plurality of exit apertures are shown along the peripheraledge 26 of the central footbed portion, including forward exit aperture36A, midsole exit aperture 36B, and heel exit aperture 36C. As shown inphantom, a plurality of vertical drainage channels extend into thefootbed from the drainage apertures in the upper surface of the footbedto the horizontal drainage channels, including forward vertical drainagechannel 32A, midsole vertical drainage channel 32B, heel verticaldrainage channel 32C, and rear vertical drainage channel 32D.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the footbed of the sandal 10 shownin FIG. 2, taken along line 3-3. As can be seen, the central footbedportion 24 includes a plurality of horizontal drainage channels thatlead to exit apertures along the peripheral edge 26, including forwarddrainage channel 34A leading to exit apertures 36A, midsole horizontaldrainage channel 34B leading to midsole exit apertures 36B, heelhorizontal drainage channels 34C leading to heel exit apertures 36C andrear horizontal drainage channel 34D leading to rear exit aperture 36D.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the sandal 10 shown in FIG. 1. The foot strap12 and retaining strap 14 are shown interconnected with the footbed. Thefootbed includes an upper surface 20, a central footbed portion 24 and abottom sole 22. The footbed has a peripheral edge 26. Rear verticaldrainage channel 32D is shown in phantom and it leads to rear horizontaldrainage channel that extends to exit aperture 36D. Also, along theperipheral edges, forward exit apertures 36A and midsole exit apertures36B can be seen.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sandal 10 shown in FIG.1, taken along the line 5-5 to show the construction of the rear portionof the drainage system. As can be seen, the footbed includes uppersurface 20, central footbed portion 24 and bottom sole 22. Rear verticaldrainage aperture 32D is interconnected with rear horizontal drainagechannel 34D, which extends to rear exit aperture 36D at a rear portionof the peripheral edge 26 of the sandal 10.

In use, water drains from the upper surface 20 of the sandal 10 throughthe drainage apertures 30A, B, C, D into the vertical drainage channels32A, B, C, D, through the horizontal drainage channels 34A, B, C, D andout the exit apertures 36A, B, C, D of the peripheral edge 20 of thesandal 10. As such, if the sandal 10 is submersed in water, or exposedto water because a wet bather steps into a pair of the sandals, waterwill quickly drain off the upper surface 20, through the footbed, outthe exit apertures, and away from the shoe to minimize the possibilityof slipping, either by the foot slipping on the upper surface of thesandal or the sole of the surface slipping on wet ground. Additionally,because of this drainage feature, the sandal will be maintained in acondition that is comfortable to wear.

FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of a sandal having thedrainage system of the present invention, indicated generally at 110.The construction of the sandal 110 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1and described earlier. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, eachdrainage aperture has its own dedicated drainage channel. As such,forward drainage apertures 130A are interconnected with front exitapertures 136A by front vertical drainage channels and independent fronthorizontal drainage channels 134A. Midsole drainage apertures 130B areinterconnected with midsole exit apertures 136B by midsole verticaldrainage channels and independent midsole horizontal drainage channels134B. Heel drainage apertures 130C are interconnected with heel exitapertures 136C by heel vertical drainage channels and independent heelhorizontal drainage channels 134C. Rear drainage aperture 130D isinterconnected with rear exit aperture 136D by a rear vertical drainagechannel an rear horizontal drainage channel 134D. The number of drainageapertures, as well as the location of the drainage apertures, can bevaried as desired, and independent horizontal drainage channelsinterconnected therewith.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the sandal show in FIG. 6. Each ofthe drainage apertures 130A, B, C, D shown in FIG. 7 interconnect withindependent horizontal drainage channels 134A, B, C, D via verticaldrainage channels connected therebetween. The horizontal drainagechannels 134A, B, C, D connect to exit apertures 136A, B, C, D on theperipheral edge 126 of the sandal 110. Each of the channels 134A, B, C,D could be pitched to aid drainage. Additionally, the channels 134A, B,C, D could be oriented at any desired angle within the footbed. Each ofthe channels 134A, B, C, D channels water from the apertures 130A, B, C,D to exit apertures 136A, B, C, D.

The apertures and drainage channels of the present invention can beformed in accordance with what is known in the art. The drainage systemcan be formed during the manufacture of the components of the sandal,i.e., during molding of the footbed, or the system can be created afterthe footbed is manufactured by removing material therefrom. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention, the footbed is moldedethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), but of course, other suitable materials couldbe used. For example, a rubber outsole could be used. After molding, thefootbed is die cut and the upper is lasted to it. The footbed could beglued or otherwise attached to the midsole and/or a bottom sole. Thesides can then be sand finished. The drainage system can be formed bydrilling the apertures, vertical drainage channels, and horizontaldrainage channels into the footbed. The footbed of the sandals of thepresent invention can be used with any desired style of upper. The uppercan be cut from a desired material and sewn to the footbed, or injectionmolded and applied to the footbed.

Having thus described the invention in detail, it is to be understoodthat the foregoing description is not intended to limit the spirit andscope thereof. What is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is setforth in the appended claims.

1. A sandal comprising: a footbed having an upper support surface, abottom sole and a central portion therebetween; an upper interconnectedwith the footbed for retaining the sandal on a foot; a plurality ofdrainage apertures formed in the upper support surface of the footbed; aplurality of vertical drainage channels extending from the drainageapertures into the central portion of the footbed; and a plurality ofhorizontal drainage channels within the central portion of the footbedextending from the vertical drainage channels to exit apertures about aperipheral edge of the sandal.
 2. The sandal of claim 1, furthercomprising two forward vertical drainage channels extending from twoforward apertures in the upper support surface to a forward horizontaldrainage channel extending from a medial side to a lateral side of theperipheral edge of the sandal.
 3. The sandal of claim 2, furthercomprising two midsole vertical drainage channels extending from twomidsole apertures in the upper support surface to a midsole horizontaldrainage channel extending from a medial side to a lateral side of theperipheral edge of the sandal.
 4. The sandal of claim 3, furthercomprising two heel vertical drainage channels extending from two heelapertures in the upper support surface to a heel horizontal drainagechannel extending from a medial side to a lateral side of the peripheraledge of the sandal.
 5. The sandal of claim 4, further comprising a rearvertical drainage channel extending from a rear aperture in the uppersupport surface to a rear horizontal drainage channel extending to theback portion of the peripheral edge of the sandal.
 6. The sandal ofclaim 1, wherein each drainage aperture has a single vertical drainagechannel connected to a dedicated horizontal drainage channel.
 7. Thesandal of claim 6, further comprising two forward vertical drainagechannels extending from two forward apertures in the upper supportsurface to two forward horizontal drainage channels, each of the forwardhorizontal drainage channels extending from a forward vertical drainagechannel to the peripheral edge of the sandal.
 8. The sandal of claim 7,further comprising two midsole vertical drainage channels extending fromtwo midsole apertures in the upper support surface to two midsolehorizontal drainage channels, each of the midsole horizontal drainagechannels extending from a midsole vertical drainage channel to theperipheral edge of the sandal.
 9. The sandal of claim 8, furthercomprising two heel vertical drainage channels extending from two heelapertures in the upper support surface to two heel horizontal drainagechannels, each of the heel horizontal drainage channels extending from aheel vertical drainage channel to the peripheral edge of the sandal. 10.The sandal of claim 9, further comprising a rear vertical drainagechannel extending from a rear aperture in the upper support surface to arear horizontal drainage channel extending to the back portion of theperipheral edge of the sandal.
 11. The sandal of claim 1, wherein theupper comprises a strap.
 12. The sandal of claim 11, further comprisinga thong extending between the footbed and the strap.